Autorotative digital photo frame

ABSTRACT

An autorotative digital photo frame comprises a microprocessor, the microprocessor allows the pictures read therein to be classified into both erect and transverse types, controls the photo frame to first display all the corresponding type of pictures depending on the erect or the transverse disposition type of the photo frame, and the microprocessor then controls the photo frame to display another type of pictures after it controls the photo frame to rotate 90 degree to allow every picture to fully use the space of the display panel and be enlarged to the size closest to the display panel. Whereby, a user can obtain a better visual effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a digital picture frame, and more particularly to an autorotative digital photo frame.

2. Description of Related Art

Accompanying the popularity of digital camera, a traditional photograph is gradually replaced with a displayer to display pictures captured by a digital camera. Taiwan Patent Publish No. 200303756 entitled as “Electronic photo display device” and Taiwan Patent Publish No. 200509663 entitled “Digital picture frame with picture acquisition” all disclose a digital photo displaying digital photo frame.

Although Current market available digital photo frame products can judge whether a photo is erect or transverse when the photo is displayed and rotate the photo automatically. But, because the photo frame cannot be rotated and the length to width ratio of the photo is not changed, when an erect photo is displayed on transverse photo frame, parts of space at both left and right sides of a display panel will not be used and be wasted; and when a transverse photo is displayed on an erect photo frame, parts of space at both upper and lower sides of a display panel can also not be completely used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For improving a digital photo frame and allowing a digital picture to have a better displaying effect, the present invention is proposed.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an autorotative digital photo frame, allowing the photo frame to be rotated 90 degree to follow the direction of a photo.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an autorotative digital photo frame, capable of effectively using space of a display panel of the photo frame and allowing each photo to be enlarged to the closest size of the display panel.

For attaining to the objects mentioned above, the present invention proposes an autorotative digital photo frame, adapted to allow the digital photo frame to be adjusted automatically to the same direction as a photo, comprising:

a base, an inner part thereof being connected to a circuit board and a stepper motor; a microprocessor being disposed in the circuit board; the microprocessor being electrically connected to the stepper motor; a photo frame, provided with a framework and a display panel, a back surface of the framework being connected to a rotating shaft of the motor; the photo frame being electrically connected to the microprocessor; wherein, the microprocessor controls the stepper motor to drive the photo frame to rotate through the difference that picture data processed thereby is a transverse photo or a erect photo to allow the photo frame to be transversely or erectly disposed corresponding to the transverse photo or erect photo so as to display the transverse photo on the display panel in a transverse direction and the erect photo on the display panel in an erect direction to allow every photo can fully utilize the space of the display panel of the photo frame and is enlarged to the size closest to the display panel to enable a user to obtain the best visual effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view, showing an autorotative digital photo frame of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram, showing a circuit of an autorotative digital photo frame of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view, showing a transversely disposed photo frame of a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view, showing a erectly disposed photo frame of a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart, showing procedures that a microprocessor controls picture display and rotates a photo frame of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 4. An autorotative digital photo frame according to the present invention is adapted to allow the digital photo frame to be automatically adjusted to the same direction as a photo and comprises a base 11, a photo frame 20.

An inner part of the base 10 is combined with a circuit board 12, at least one data reading device 13, a stepper motor 14, at least one connecter interface 15 and at least one memory card connecter interface 16; the connecter interface 15 and the memory connecter interface 16 are communicated with an outside part of the base 11; a microprocessor 121 such as microprocessor type No. Samsung S3c2410, Flash memory 122 such as NOR flash, volatile memory 123 such as SDRSM and image display chip 124 are disposed in the circuit board 12. The microprocessor 121 is respectively connected to the flash memory 122, the volatile memory 123, the image display chip 124 such as chip Feforce5500, the data reading device 13 and the stepper motor 14; the data reading device 13 is respectively connected to the connecter interface 15 and the memory card connecter interface 16; the flash memory 122 is used for storing application software needed for the system; the volatile memory 123 is used for storing software needed for the system operation when the system is operating.

A photo frame 20 is provided with a framework 21 and a display panel 22; a middle part of a back surface of the framework 21 is combined with a rotating shaft 141 of the steeper motor 14 and can be driven by the stepper motor 14 to rotate 90 degree; the photo frame 20 is electrically connected to the image display chip 124;

wherein, the microprocessor 121 reads image data stored in a hard disk or a memory card through the data reading device 13 and controls the stepper motor 14 to drive the photo frame 20 to rotate depending on that the read-in image data is a transverse picture or a erect picture to allow the photo frame 20 to be transversely or erectly disposed corresponding to the read-in transverse picture or the read-in erect picture respectively to display the transverse picture with the display panel 22 in a transverse direction as FIG. 3 shows or display the erect picture with the display panel 22 in an erect direction as FIG. 4 shows.

The data reading device 13 of the present invention can respectively be a hard disk player or a card reader for reading compact flash (CF) card, secure digital (SD) memory card or anything else; the connecter interface 15 can be power source connecter, IDE interface connecter or anything else; the memory connecter interface 16 can be a connecter for memory cards such as CF card and SD card.

Because the sequence of transverse and erect pictures of an image file in a storage media is random, for preventing a great amount of rotations of the photo frame from shortening the use life of the photo frame, the pictures in the image file can be classified into transverse picture and erect picture types. The pictures are displayed on the basis of the types, the rotation times of the photo frame is less when more image files are stored in the storage media.

Please refer to FIG. 5. Procedures for the microprocessor to control the photo frame to display pictures according to the present invention comprise the following steps:

-   -   a. allowing a microprocessor to read pictures stored in a         storage media such as hard disk or memory card through a data         reading device, and classifying them into erect pictures and         transverse pictures;     -   b. judging whether a photo frame is transverse or erect, if it         is transverse, then entering Step c1, if it is erect, then         entering d1;         -   c1. allowing the microprocessor to control the photo frame             to display transverse pictures;         -   c2. judging whether the transverse pictures are displayed             over, if it is not, then continue the displaying, otherwise             entering Step e;         -   d1. allowing the microprocessor to control the photo frame             to display erect pictures;         -   d2. judging whether the erect pictures are displayed over,             if it is not, then continue the displaying, otherwise             entering Step e;     -   e. judging whether there is any picture left and not displayed         yet, if it is yes, then entering Step 1, otherwise ending the         picture displaying.     -   f. allowing the microprocessor to control the photo frame to         rotate 90 degree;     -   g. allowing the microprocessor to control the photo frame to         display the pictures; and     -   h. allowing the microprocessor to detect whether the pictures         are displayed over, if it is not, then continue the displaying,         otherwise end the picture displaying.

It is supposed that there are ten pictures 1.JPG to 10.JPG are currently stored in the storage media, in which four erect pictures are the pictures 2.JPG, 3.JPG, 6.JPG and 9.JPG, and transverse pictures are the pictures 1.JPG, 4.JPG, 5.JPG, 7.JPG, 8.JPG and 10.JPG. Besides, it is supposed that the photo frame is currently erectly disposed; the microprocessor then controls the photo frame to display the erect pictures 2.JPG, 3.JPG, 6.JPG and 9.JPG first. And then, the microprocessor controls the photo frame to rotate 90 degree after the erect pictures displaying is over to continue displaying the transverse pictures 1.JPG, 4.JPG, 5.JPG, 7.JPG, 8.JPG and 10.JPG.

The microprocessor of the present invention first allows the pictures read therein to be classified into both erect and transverse types, controls the photo frame to display all the corresponding type of pictures first depending on the erect or the transverse disposition type of the photo frame, and the microprocessor then controls the photo frame to display another type of pictures after it controls the photo frame to rotate 90 degree to allow every picture to fully use the space of the display panel and be enlarged to the size closest to the display panel. Whereby, a user can obtain a better visual effect.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. An autorotative digital photo frame, adapted to allow said digital photo frame to be adjusted to the same direction as a photo, comprising: a base, an inner part thereof being combined with a circuit board and a stepper motor; a microprocessor being disposed in said circuit board; said microprocessor being electrically connected to said stepper motor; a photo frame, provided with a framework and a display panel; a back surface of said framework being combined with a rotating shaft of said motor; said photo frame being electrically connected to said microprocessor; Wherein, said microprocessor controls said stepper motor to drive said photo frame to rotate through the difference that picture data processed thereby is a transverse photo or an erect photo to allow said photo frame to be transversely or erectly disposed corresponding to said transverse photo or said erect photo so as to display said transverse photo on said display panel in a transverse direction and said erect photo on said display panel in an erect direction.
 2. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 1, wherein said microprocessor is electrically connected to a data reading device, said data reading device is used for reading said image data.
 3. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 2, wherein an inner part of said base is combined with said data reading device; said data reading device is at least one of a hard disk driver and a memory card reader.
 4. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 3, wherein said inner part of said base is combined with at least one of a connecter interface and memory card connecter interface; said connecter interface and said memory card connecter are respectively communicated with an outside part of said base; said hard disk driver is electrically connected to said connecter interface; said memory card reader is electrically connected to said memory card connecter interface.
 5. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 4, wherein said connecter interface is an IDE interface connecter.
 6. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 5, wherein said memory card reader is at least one of a compact flash card reader and secure digital memory card reader.
 7. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 6, wherein a flash memory, a volatile memory and a image display chip are disposed in said circuit board; said microprocessor is respectively connected with said flash memory, said volatile memory and said image display chip; said photo frame is electrically connected to said image display chip; said flash memory is used for storing application software needed for a system; said volatile memory is used as a register for storing software needed for a system operation when said system is in operation.
 8. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 7, wherein a middle part of a back surface of said framework is combined with a rotating shaft of said motor.
 9. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 1, wherein said microprocessor first allows said pictures read thereby to be classified into both erect picture and transverse picture types, said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of one type first, and then display pictures of another type.
 10. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 9, wherein said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of a corresponding type first and then display pictures of another type according to two disposition types of erection and transverse thereof.
 11. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 2, wherein said microprocessor first allows said pictures read thereby to be classified into both erect picture and transverse picture types, said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of one type first, and then display pictures of another type.
 12. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 11, wherein said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of a corresponding type first and then display pictures of another type according to two disposition types of erection and transverse thereof.
 13. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 3, wherein said microprocessor first allows said pictures read thereby to be classified into both erect picture and transverse picture types, said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of one type first, and then display pictures of another type.
 14. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 13, wherein said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of a corresponding type first and then display pictures of another type according to two disposition types of erection and transverse thereof.
 15. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 4, wherein said microprocessor first allows said pictures read thereby to be classified into both erect picture and transverse picture types, said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of one type first, and then display pictures of another type.
 16. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 15, wherein said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of a corresponding type first and then display pictures of another type according to two disposition types of erection and transverse thereof.
 17. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 7, wherein said microprocessor first allows said pictures read thereby to be classified into both erect picture and transverse picture types, said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of one type first, and then display pictures of another type.
 18. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 17, wherein said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of a corresponding type first and then display pictures of another type according to two disposition types of erection and transverse thereof.
 19. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 8, wherein said microprocessor first allows said pictures read thereby to be classified into both erect picture and transverse picture types, said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of one type first, and then display pictures of another type.
 20. The autorotative digital photo frame according to claim 19, wherein said microprocessor controls said photo frame to display all pictures of a corresponding type first and then display pictures of another type according to two disposition types of erection and transverse thereof. 